SWANAGE Town & Herston’s hopes of successfully defending the Dorset Premier League Cup evaporated on Saturday.

Tim Brown’s side were condemned to a 3-1 defeat by DPL leaders Hamworthy Recreation, despite taking an early lead in the second-round clash at Magna Road.

Swans seized the initiative 15 minutes in when Cameron Beard sent the goalkeeper the wrong way from the penalty spot.

However, the lead did not last long, Chris Long levelling matters on the half hour mark.

The visitors produced a disappointing second-half performance and goals from Bradly Hill and Harry Stokes secured Ham Rec’s progress.

Ham Rec are due to host Holt United in the quarter-final.

In league action, Parley Sports lost 4-3 to visitors Dorchester Sports despite being two goals ahead at one stage.

Matt Newbery gave Parley the lead from the penalty spot and then doubled the hosts’ advantage shortly after the break.

But Jamie Symes pulled a goal back for the county town side and Ashley White drew the visitors level soon after.

Symes then struck his second of the afternoon to put Dorchester into a 3-2 lead before Parley’s Tommy Freeman was sent off for a foul, having been deemed the last man.

Match-winner Symes then stepped up and slotted home the resulting free-kick to secure his hat-trick and the visitors’ fourth.

There was still time for Bradley Boontam to reduce the arrears for Parley but Dorchester held on to seal all three points.

Merley Cobham Sports continued their fine form with a 4-0 home victory over Hamworthy United reserves.

Jack Mills’s well-struck free-kick set the tone for the hosts and he grabbed his second just after the break.

Cobham’s third then came via Matt Groves’s bundled effort and Frankie White scored his side’s fourth late on.

Holt United came from two goals down to beat Blandford United 5-2 at Petersham Lane.

The Royals scored through Oliver Morris and a Mark Ford penalty before the Bulls hit back.

Nathan Saxby, Sonny Wilkinson, Dean Evans, Elliot Manson and Dan Hawkins were all on target for the home side, as Holt ran out comfortable winners.

The Bulls were reduced to 10 men however, as Sam Pearce saw red after receiving two yellow cards.

Strugglers Wareham Rangers recorded a point after a 1-1 draw at bottom side Sherborne Town reserves.

Sherborne led through Craig Royle’s effort only for Wareham’s Alex Ringer to score their important equaliser midway through the second half.